UCF Scenery, Students to Play a Role in Amanda Bynes Movie Filming on Campus

By Tom Evelyn Feb. 13, 2007

Photo: Jacque Brund

“Sydney White” will film over three weeks at locations in Greek Park and the Recreation and Wellness Center beginning Feb. 23. A crew hired by the production company put the finishing touches on a room inside the former Pi Kappa Alpha house on Tuesday.

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“Sydney White,” a movie starring Amanda Bynes as a college freshman who befriends a group of misfits while pledging her mother’s sorority, will film over three weeks at locations on the University of Central Florida campus beginning Feb. 23.

Morgan Creek Productions is hiring UCF students as interns and extras to work on the film as well as offering guest lecturers for film classes. The UCF Marching Knights may get in the act, too, by playing a band at the film’s fictional university.

In addition, Morgan Creek will donate $25,000 to UCF to support a scholarship fund.

Scenes for the $16.5 million film directed by Joe Nussbaum will include the former Pi Kappa Alpha house in Greek Park and the student Recreation and Wellness Center. The crew plans to film at UCF for nine days over a three-week period, with shooting scheduled to conclude March 16.
 
“UCF has strong academic programs in film and theater, and this is a great opportunity for our students to showcase their talent, learn from industry experts and get real-life experience working with a major movie production,” said Tom Huddleston, vice president for Marketing, Communications and Admissions.

“Sydney White” is “a modern retelling of a classic fairy tale set against students in their freshman year of college in the Greek system,” according to producers, who said the film may premiere as early as late summer.

Bynes, 20, has starred in “The Amanda Show” on Nickelodeon and “What I Like About You” on The WB. Her movie credits include “She’s the Man,” “Robots” and “What a Girl Wants.” She also is in the cast of “Hairspray,” a remake featuring John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer that is scheduled to be released this year.

Thirteen of Morgan Creek Productions’ films have debuted at number one at the box office. The company’s films include “The Good Shepherd,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and the “Ace Ventura” movies.

The production company selected UCF as a major backdrop for “Sydney White” after scouting several locations in Florida and elsewhere, producers said. Parts of the film will be shot at other sites around Orlando, including Rollins College.

“As a local filmmaker with experience shooting all over the world, I’m happy to bring this production, and hopefully many more, to Central Florida,” said Wayne Morris, a producer on the project. “UCF has a beautiful campus and a great film program, and we appreciate the opportunity to highlight both in this movie.”

The production company held an open casting call for extras on Feb. 2. As many as 2,500 extras, including students and local residents, may appear in “Sydney White.”

The company is accepting resumes for interns throughout the production. Interested students may fax resumes to SW7D Productions Inc., attention: Intern Coordinator, at 407-672-5771.

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